Control of throttle and braking actions at individual distributed power locomotives in a railroad train

Abstract

A method for controlling first (14 / 12A) and second (12B) locomotives of a railroad train (8), the first (14 / 12A) and the second (12B) locomotives separated by at least one railcar (20). The method comprises determining a location of the first locomotive (14 / 12A) and a location of the second locomotive (12B), determining an operating condition of the first locomotive (14 / 12A) and an operating condition of the second locomotive (12B), determining a first control aspect of the first locomotive (14 / 12A) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the first locomotive (14 / 12A), determining a second control aspect of the second locomotive (12B) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the second locomotive (12B), and controlling the first (14 / 12A) and the second (12B) locomotives according to the first control aspect and the second control aspect, respectively.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a railroad train control system for use with a distributed power train comprising a lead locomotive and one or more remote locomotives.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Under operator control, a railroad locomotive supplies motive power (traction) to move a train and applies brakes on the locomotive and / or on train railcars to slow or stop the train. The motive power is supplied by electric traction motors responsive to an AC or DC voltage generated by the locomotive engine.[0003]The railroad train comprises three separate brake systems. An air brake system comprises a fluid-carrying brake pipe that extends a length of the train and connects to each rail car. An operator in the lead locomotive controls the fluid pressure in the brake pipe and each rail car responds to the sensed pressure. At each rail car, car brakes are applied responsive to a decrease in the sensed fluid pressure and released responsive to a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Advantageously this embodiment of the invention solves the problems associated with railroad train control by automatically determining a control aspect of the train according to the location of the train and one or more operating conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Use of the dynamic brakes is indicated to slow the train when application of the locomotive independent brakes and / or the railcar air brakes may cause the locomotive or railcar wheels to overheat or when their prolonged use may cause excessive wheel wear.

Long distributed power trains are often difficult to control when cresting hills (transitioning from steep uphill to steep downhill grades).

If the train accelerates significantly when stretched over the crest, the operator can lose control of the train, creating a destructively hazardous situation.

When the train is in synchronous mode, if the operator applies the railcar and / or the independent locomotive brakes while one or more remote locomotives and a significant number of railcars are on the uphill side of the crest, these locomotives and railcars may create excessive braking forces for locomotives and railcars farther toward the rear of the train.

This situation can result in the train breaking apart, an obvious and destructive hazard.

Although the DP system includes interlocks to prevent the application of forces that may pull the train apart as locomotives are reassigned from the back to the front group, effective operator control of this scenario can be difficult.

Effective operator control depends on the skill level of the operator and many trains break apart due to improper operator control.

Operator control may be further complicated by unfamiliar train make-up, travel over unknown terrain, etc.

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